A Study in EdTech Success
Toms River Regional Schools, New Jersey

Challenge

Charged with managing over 16,000 students and 3000 staff using 5000 Chromebooks, 4000 PCs, 1000 BYOD/personal devices and some iPads spread across 22 locations, Toms River Regional Schools required a web filtering solution that was compatible with multiple devices and easily scalable for future device procurements.

With the existing license with their web filtering provider soon expiring, Toms River’s needed to find the right solution quickly or risk investing in new expensive hardware that they were not completely satisfied with. Securly’s cloud based approach that eliminates the need for exclusive hardware for web filtering appealed to Jay Attiya, Director of Information Technology for Toms River School District.

This aligned with the District’s transition to other cloud based applications such as extensive use of Google Docs for K-12. Furthermore, Securly’s software updates are automatic and do not hinder user activities due to maintenance or downtime. Not to mention that Securly costs significantly less than the competition that Jay Attiya explored.

Business Impact

• Cost-effective cloud based solution
• Up-front investment in hardware eliminated
• Easy installation and automatic software updates
• Scalable to any type and number of devices
• Single sign-on with G-Suite for education eases user accessibility
• Same level of security on and off campus

Outcomes

Ease of use

One of Securly’s highlights is its easy installation process, and a web-based admin console that “makes it easy to turn on and turn off”. Once setup, the web filtering solution can be easily implemented across multiple devices at any time. Securly’s solution not only works on campus, but travels home with the students to monitor and filter their activities there as well.

The admin console allows the network administrator to easily blacklist and whitelist websites from a centralized location, and authorize other staff to do the same if required. Regular student activity reports and alerts sent to school authorities and parents can be easily managed through a user friendly dashboard allowing the school and parents to stay on top of their students’ online activity and intervene as required.

Single Sign On

Securly’s solution provides a single sign on through Google, thereby eliminating the need to maintain multiple login credentials. According to Jay Attiya this ability eliminates almost 90 percent of the calls to the District’s Tech Support. This massive decrease translates into more time, money and resources freed up for the District to use in other areas.

Going with one partner for all filtering, security, and management

VBCPS was already very pleased with its Securly tools, but in the winter of 2019 the district decided to add classroom management to support blended instruction and so put out an RFP for all of the following services:

• On-site internet filtering
• Off-site internet filtering
• Parent engagement
• Student safety
• Classroom management

Securly won the bid, and Snedecor says it's because of the company's excellent customer support, product quality, and the opportunity to work with one partner. "Knowing the level of support and service Securly provides was a key factor, as was the comprehensive services Securly offers. But most of all, I like working with Securly," he says.

Snedecor is pleased to have Securly handle both on- and off-site filtering. "Now we can get the same level on-site as we have for off-site. We're rolling out the classroom management piece, Securly Classroom, and excited to start using that this fall."

Overall, Snedecor knows he has a technology partner he can count on. He says Securly is easy to work with and that whenever he has a problem—which he's quick to point out is rare—it's dealt with immediately. "I just send an email and I get a response in no time, letting me know that the problem is being worked on. I work with the same support people over and over and we have a great rapport."

As someone who has been in IT for many years, Snedecor says he was very comfortable with his appliance. However, he says Securly has proven that it can take filtering to the cloud district-wide, maximize efficiency, reduce cost, and provide student safety everywhere. "The whole implementation has been painless. No matter what the fall brings us in terms of remote learning, we know our solutions will work."